Bible Quiz – “Delays”
Subjective
Questions
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Waiting is one of
the most difficult experiences in the life of faith. We pray, hope, work, and
trust God, yet sometimes the answer does not come when we expect it. The Bible
contains many stories of people who experienced delays—delays in receiving a
promise, delays in deliverance, delays in healing, and delays in seeing God's
purpose fulfilled.
Yet biblical delays
are not necessarily denials. Abraham waited for the promised son. Joseph spent
years in difficult circumstances before seeing God's purpose unfold. David
waited before becoming king. Lazarus' family experienced what appeared to be a
painful delay before Jesus intervened.
This Bible Quiz –
“Delays” explores what Scripture teaches about waiting, patience, faith,
God's timing, unanswered prayers, and the purposes that can unfold during
seasons of delay.
Take your time with
each question. Since these are subjective questions, think about the
biblical account and express the answer in your own words.
Instructions
for Participants
1. Read each question carefully before
answering.
2. Answer the questions in your own
words.
3. Think about the biblical character,
event, or teaching connected with each question.
4. Some questions may have more than one
aspect to consider.
5. After completing the quiz, check your
answers with the Answer Key and References provided below.
6. Use the Bible references for further
reading and personal study.
7. Remember that the purpose of this quiz
is not simply to test memory but to encourage deeper reflection on God's
timing and our response to delays.
Subjective Questions
1.
Abraham and Sarah waited many years for the child God had promised. What does
their experience teach about waiting for God's promises?
2.
Why might a delay in receiving God's promise become a test of faith?
3.
Joseph experienced years of slavery, injustice, imprisonment, and waiting
before his circumstances changed. How did the delay contribute to his eventual
story?
4.
David was anointed to become king, yet he did not immediately occupy the
throne. What can we learn from David's response during this period of waiting?
5.
Moses spent many years in Midian before God called him to lead Israel out of
Egypt. What does this period of delay suggest about preparation for God's
calling?
6.
Why is patience especially important when a person believes that God has given
a promise?
7.
In the story of Lazarus, Jesus did not immediately go to Bethany after hearing
that Lazarus was sick. What does this apparent delay teach about God's
purposes?
8.
Jairus came to Jesus because his daughter was dying, but while Jesus was on the
way, another person's need caused an interruption. How did this delay affect
Jairus, and what happened afterward?
9.
Hannah prayed for a child for a long time before Samuel was born. What can her
story teach about persistent prayer during a long delay?
10.
Israel waited for God's deliverance from Egypt for many years. What does the
Exodus account teach about God's timing in delivering His people?
11.
Why can a delay sometimes reveal what is truly inside a person's heart?
12.
What is the difference between patiently waiting on God and simply becoming
passive?
13.
How can delays strengthen a person's dependence on God?
14.
What dangers can arise when people become impatient during a period of waiting?
15.
Abraham and Sarah eventually attempted to bring about God's promise through
their own plan involving Hagar. What warning can this story provide about
trying to force God's timing?
16.
Joseph's dreams were fulfilled only after many difficult years. How can his
story encourage someone who believes that God's purpose for their life is
taking longer than expected?
17.
David had opportunities to take Saul's life, yet he chose not to seize the
throne through violence. What does this reveal about David's attitude toward
God's timing?
18.
Simeon and Anna waited faithfully for the coming of the Messiah. What can their
lives teach about faithful waiting?
19.
How can a person continue trusting God when there seems to be no visible
evidence that the situation is changing?
20.
What does the Bible teach about God's timing through the statement that there
is “a time for every purpose under heaven”?
21.
Why should a delay not automatically be interpreted as God's rejection?
22.
How can waiting develop spiritual qualities such as patience, endurance, hope,
and perseverance?
23.
What can Christians learn from the disciples who had to wait for the coming of
the Holy Spirit after Jesus' ascension?
24.
How should a believer respond when God's answer to prayer seems delayed?
25.
What is one important spiritual lesson that you personally learn from the
Bible's accounts of delays?
Answers and Bible References
1.
Abraham and Sarah
Their story teaches
that God's promises may require long periods of waiting. Faith involves
trusting God's faithfulness even when circumstances appear to contradict the
promise. Their experience also demonstrates the importance of trusting God's
timing rather than allowing impatience to control our actions.
Reference: Genesis 12:1–4; Genesis 15:1–6;
Genesis 17:15–21; Genesis 21:1–7
2.
Delay as a Test of Faith
A delay can test
whether a person continues trusting God when the expected answer does not
arrive quickly. Faith is often revealed not merely when the promise is given
but when a person must wait for its fulfillment.
Reference: Romans 4:18–21; Hebrews 6:12–15
3.
Joseph's Years of Waiting
Joseph's delay
involved slavery, false accusation, and imprisonment. Yet these experiences
eventually placed him in a position where he could preserve many lives during
the famine and fulfill the larger purpose God had for him.
Reference: Genesis 37:5–11; Genesis 39:19–23;
Genesis 40:1–23; Genesis 41:37–57; Genesis 50:19–20
4.
David's Waiting
David had been
anointed king, but he waited for God's appointed time rather than taking the
kingdom by force. His conduct toward Saul demonstrates his reluctance to seize
what he believed God had promised through his own violent action.
Reference: 1 Samuel 16:1–13; 1 Samuel 24:1–22; 1
Samuel 26:1–25; 2 Samuel 5:1–5
5.
Moses in Midian
Moses spent many
years away from Egypt before God called him. His period in Midian preceded his
return to Egypt and his leadership of Israel.
Reference: Exodus 2:11–25; Exodus 3:1–12; Acts
7:23–30
6.
Patience and God's Promises
Patience enables a
person to continue trusting God without abandoning faith simply because
fulfillment takes longer than expected. Scripture repeatedly connects faith
with endurance and waiting.
Reference: Psalm 37:7; Hebrews 6:12; Hebrews
10:35–36; James 5:7–8
7.
Lazarus and the Apparent Delay
Jesus' delay did not
mean that He had abandoned Lazarus' family. The event ultimately became an
occasion in which Jesus demonstrated His authority over death and revealed
God's glory.
Reference: John 11:1–6; John 11:17–27; John
11:38–44
8.
Jairus and the Interruption
Jairus was urgently
seeking help for his dying daughter. While Jesus was going to his house, the
healing of the woman with the issue of blood caused an apparent delay. During
that time, Jairus received news that his daughter had died. Jesus nevertheless continued
to the house and raised her.
Reference: Mark 5:21–43; Luke 8:40–56
9.
Hannah's Persistent Prayer
Hannah continued
bringing her sorrow and desire before God. Her story illustrates persistent
prayer, honest dependence upon God, and eventual answered prayer through the
birth of Samuel.
Reference: 1 Samuel 1:1–20; 1 Samuel 2:1–10
10.
Israel's Deliverance
Israel's suffering
in Egypt continued for generations, but God did not forget His covenant. At the
appointed time, He raised Moses and brought about Israel's deliverance.
Reference: Exodus 2:23–25; Exodus 3:7–10; Exodus
12:29–42
11.
Delay Revealing the Heart
A prolonged wait can
reveal whether a person responds with faith, patience, obedience, bitterness,
fear, or self-reliance. Difficult circumstances can expose attitudes that may
remain hidden during comfortable times.
Reference: Deuteronomy 8:2–5; Deuteronomy
13:3–4; James 1:2–4
12.
Waiting Versus Passivity
Biblical waiting
does not mean abandoning responsibility. A believer can continue praying,
obeying God, working faithfully, and preparing while trusting God with the
timing and outcome.
Reference: Psalm 37:3–7; Proverbs 16:3;
Colossians 3:23–24; James 2:17–18
13.
Dependence on God
Delays can teach
people that their ultimate confidence must rest in God rather than in
circumstances, human strength, or immediate results.
Reference: Psalm 27:13–14; Psalm 62:5–8; Isaiah
40:28–31
14.
Dangers of Impatience
Impatience can lead
people toward fear, complaining, disobedience, self-reliance, or decisions that
contradict God's instructions.
Reference: Exodus 32:1–8; 1 Samuel 13:5–14;
Numbers 20:1–12
15.
Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar
Abraham and Sarah
attempted to obtain the promised offspring through their own arrangement with
Hagar. The resulting family conflict demonstrates the complications that can
arise when people attempt to accomplish God's promise through their own timing
and methods.
Reference: Genesis 16:1–16; Genesis 17:15–21;
Genesis 21:1–21
16.
Joseph's Fulfilled Dreams
Joseph's experience
demonstrates that a long delay does not necessarily mean that God's purpose has
disappeared. His circumstances changed dramatically after years of suffering
and waiting.
Reference: Genesis 37:5–11; Genesis 41:14–16;
Genesis 41:38–41; Genesis 42:6–9
17.
David and Saul
David repeatedly
refused to kill Saul when he had opportunities to do so. He recognized Saul's
position as the Lord's anointed and chose to leave the matter in God's hands
rather than take the kingdom through his own violence.
Reference: 1 Samuel 24:4–7; 1 Samuel 24:10–12; 1
Samuel 26:8–11; 1 Samuel 26:23–25
18.
Simeon and Anna
Simeon and Anna
continued faithfully serving God while waiting for the promised consolation and
redemption of Israel. They were present when Jesus was brought to the temple
and recognized the significance of His arrival.
Reference: Luke 2:25–38
19.
Trusting Without Visible Evidence
A believer can
continue trusting God by remembering His character and past faithfulness,
continuing in prayer and obedience, and refusing to make circumstances the sole
measure of God's presence or faithfulness.
Reference: Habakkuk 2:3–4; Romans 8:24–25; 2
Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:1
20.
A Time for Every Purpose
Ecclesiastes teaches
that human life contains different seasons and that there is an appointed time
for different purposes and activities. This encourages recognition that not
everything happens according to our preferred schedule.
Reference: Ecclesiastes 3:1–11
21.
Delay Is Not Automatically Rejection
Several biblical
accounts show people waiting for long periods before experiencing God's
intervention or fulfillment. Therefore, the absence of an immediate answer
should not automatically be interpreted as God's rejection.
Reference: Psalm 13:1–6; John 11:1–44; Romans
8:28; 2 Peter 3:8–9
22.
Spiritual Growth Through Waiting
Scripture connects
trials and endurance with spiritual maturity. Waiting can develop perseverance,
tested character, hope, and steadfastness.
Reference: Romans 5:3–5; James 1:2–4; Romans
12:12
23.
The Disciples Waiting for the Holy Spirit
After Jesus'
ascension, the disciples were instructed to remain in Jerusalem and wait for
the promised Holy Spirit. They obeyed rather than attempting to begin their
mission according to their own schedule.
Reference: Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4–8; Acts 1:12–14;
Acts 2:1–4
24.
Responding to Delayed Answers
A believer should
continue praying, trusting God, obeying His Word, and remaining patient while
seeking His wisdom. Scripture encourages believers to bring their requests to
God rather than allowing anxiety or discouragement to control them.
Reference: Psalm 40:1–3; Matthew 7:7–11;
Philippians 4:6–7; 1 John 5:14–15
25.
The Central Lesson of Biblical Delays
One central lesson
is that God's timing may differ from human expectations. Biblical stories of
waiting encourage believers to remain faithful, patient, prayerful, and hopeful
while trusting God's wisdom and purposes.
Reference: Psalm 27:13–14; Isaiah 55:8–9; Romans
8:25; Galatians 6:9
Reflection
A delay can be one
of the hardest seasons of faith because we often see the waiting but not the
purpose. Scripture, however, repeatedly presents people who waited while
God continued working behind the scenes.
The question is not
always, “Why has God delayed?” Sometimes the deeper question is, “How
will I remain faithful while I wait?”
Call
to Action
How are you
responding to a season of delay?
Take a moment to reflect on the Bible characters in this quiz and the lessons
their waiting teaches.
If you enjoyed this Bible
Quiz – “Delays”, share it with your family, friends, Bible study group, or
church community. Keep exploring Scripture, keep asking questions, and keep
growing in faith!
Bible Quiz – “Delays”
Level
2 – Subjective Questions
The Bible contains
many situations in which God's people had to wait longer than they expected.
Sometimes the delay involved a promise; sometimes deliverance, healing,
guidance, restoration, or the fulfillment of God's purpose.
Level 2 goes deeper
into these accounts. Rather than simply recalling what happened, these
questions encourage you to examine why the delay mattered, how people
responded to it, and what Scripture reveals about God's timing.
As you work through
this quiz, think carefully about the biblical context. A delay may change
circumstances, test faith, expose motives, develop character, or prepare
someone for a future responsibility.
Instructions
for Participants
1. Read each question carefully and consider
the complete biblical context.
2. Answer in your own words rather than
simply giving a one-word response.
3. Support your answer with the relevant
biblical account when possible.
4. Some questions require comparison
between different biblical examples.
5. Think about both the spiritual
lesson and the human response to the delay.
6. Complete the entire quiz before
checking the Answer Key.
7. Use the references afterward for
further Bible study.
8. Remember that subjective questions may
allow slightly different wording while still expressing the biblical principle
correctly.
Level 2 – Subjective Questions
1.
Abraham received God's promise concerning his descendants long before Isaac was
born. How did the length of the waiting period create a tension between God's promise
and Abraham's circumstances?
2.
What does Abraham's experience in Genesis 15–21 teach about the difference
between believing God's promise and understanding when or how it will be
fulfilled?
3.
Joseph's dreams appeared to contradict his later circumstances for many years.
How could his suffering and waiting be understood in light of God's larger
purpose?
4.
Compare Joseph's period of waiting with David's period of waiting. What was
different about their circumstances, and what similar principle can be seen in
both accounts?
5.
David was anointed king while Saul was still ruling Israel. Why might the years
between David's anointing and his actual kingship have been significant?
6.
What does David's refusal to kill Saul teach about trusting God's timing when
an opportunity appears to make the promised outcome happen immediately?
7.
Moses spent approximately forty years in Midian before returning to Egypt. What
does this period contribute to our understanding of preparation and God's
timing?
8.
Israel cried out because of their suffering in Egypt, yet their deliverance did
not happen immediately. What does Exodus teach about God's response to
suffering that appears to continue for a long time?
9.
In the story of Lazarus, Jesus deliberately remained where He was after hearing
that Lazarus was sick. Why is this delay important for understanding the
purpose of the miracle?
10.
How does the raising of Lazarus challenge the assumption that an answer must
come before a situation becomes desperate?
11.
Jairus experienced a delay while Jesus was responding to another person's need.
What can this account teach about trusting God when someone else's situation
appears to receive attention before ours?
12.
Hannah's long period of prayer was accompanied by personal sorrow and
misunderstanding from others. What aspects of her response demonstrate
perseverance?
13.
What is the significance of Hannah continuing to pray instead of allowing her
unanswered desire to separate her from God?
14.
Israel became impatient while Moses was on Mount Sinai. What does the golden
calf reveal about the dangers of uncertainty and delay?
15.
Compare Israel's impatience at Sinai with David's patience while waiting for
the kingdom. What contrasting responses to delay can be observed?
16.
Saul's decision to offer the sacrifice before Samuel arrived was connected with
his impatience. What does this event teach about acting outside God's
instructions because of pressure?
17.
How can a person distinguish between faithfully waiting on God and using
“waiting” as an excuse for avoiding responsibility?
18.
The Israelites had to wait for the fulfillment of God's promise concerning the
Promised Land. How can prolonged waiting affect an entire community differently
from how it affects one individual?
19.
Simeon waited for the consolation of Israel, while Anna continued serving God
until she encountered the infant Jesus. What do their examples teach about
faithful waiting?
20.
What does Habakkuk's message about the vision that “awaits an appointed time”
teach about God's timing?
21.
How does Romans 5 connect suffering, perseverance, character, and hope? What
does this suggest about the possible spiritual value of difficult waiting
periods?
22.
Why can waiting reveal whether our trust is based primarily on God's character
or on receiving the outcome we desire?
23.
How did the disciples respond to Jesus' command to wait in Jerusalem before
beginning their worldwide mission?
24.
What would have been lost if the disciples had decided to begin their mission
without waiting for the promised Holy Spirit?
25.
What connection can you make between biblical waiting and the instruction in
Galatians not to become weary in doing good?
Answers and Bible References
1.
Abraham's Promise and His Circumstances
Abraham had received
God's promise of descendants, yet his circumstances seemed increasingly
unlikely to produce the promised child. The long wait created a tension between
what God had promised and what Abraham could see. His story demonstrates that
faith often requires trusting God's word even when circumstances appear
contrary to it.
Reference: Genesis 12:1–4; Genesis 15:1–6;
Genesis 17:15–21; Genesis 21:1–7
2.
Believing the Promise Versus Understanding the Timing
Abraham could
believe that God would fulfill His promise without knowing exactly when or how
it would happen. His journey shows that faith does not necessarily mean having
complete knowledge of God's timetable.
Reference: Genesis 15:1–6; Genesis 17:15–21;
Romans 4:18–21; Hebrews 11:8–12
3.
Joseph's Waiting and God's Purpose
Joseph's suffering
did not appear to lead toward the fulfillment of his dreams. Yet the events
that followed—slavery, imprisonment, and eventual elevation—placed him in a
position to preserve many lives. The delay became part of a much larger story.
Reference: Genesis 37:5–11; Genesis 39:19–23;
Genesis 40:1–23; Genesis 41:14–16; Genesis 50:19–20
4.
Joseph and David
Joseph waited
through slavery and imprisonment before entering a position of authority. David
waited while fleeing from Saul before becoming king. Their circumstances were
different, but both stories demonstrate that God's purposes may unfold through
long and difficult periods rather than through immediate fulfillment.
Reference: Genesis 39:1–23; Genesis 41:37–41; 1
Samuel 16:1–13; 1 Samuel 24:1–22; 2 Samuel 5:1–5
5.
David's Years Before Kingship
The years between
David's anointing and his kingship gave him opportunities to experience
leadership, danger, dependence upon God, and difficult relationships with Saul.
His waiting period became part of his preparation for leadership.
Reference: 1 Samuel 16:1–13; 1 Samuel 18:1–16; 1
Samuel 23:1–18; 2 Samuel 5:1–5
6.
David Refusing to Kill Saul
David had
opportunities to remove Saul and advance his own position, but he refused to
take the matter into his own hands. His actions demonstrate his desire to leave
the timing of the kingdom to God rather than obtain it through an act of
personal revenge.
Reference: 1 Samuel 24:4–7; 1 Samuel 24:10–12; 1
Samuel 26:8–11; 1 Samuel 26:23–25
7.
Moses in Midian
Moses' years in
Midian preceded his calling to confront Pharaoh and lead Israel. The period was
not the end of his story but part of the journey that preceded his public
mission.
Reference: Exodus 2:11–25; Exodus 3:1–12; Acts
7:23–30
8.
Israel's Long Suffering in Egypt
God heard Israel's
groaning and remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Their
eventual deliverance demonstrates that the apparent delay did not mean God was
unaware of their suffering.
Reference: Exodus 2:23–25; Exodus 3:7–10; Exodus
6:2–8
9.
Jesus' Delay Before Going to Lazarus
Jesus' delay allowed
the situation to progress beyond ordinary expectations of healing. Lazarus had
died and had been in the tomb for several days before Jesus arrived. The
miracle therefore became a powerful demonstration of Jesus' authority over
death and brought glory to God.
Reference: John 11:1–6; John 11:11–15; John
11:38–44
10.
Lazarus and Desperate Circumstances
The account shows
that Jesus' intervention was not limited by the point at which human beings
considered a situation hopeless. Lazarus' death did not prevent Jesus from
accomplishing what He intended.
Reference: John 11:17–27; John 11:38–44
11.
Jairus and Someone Else's Need
Jairus urgently
sought Jesus because his daughter was dying. During the journey, Jesus stopped
to address the woman who had been suffering for twelve years. Jairus then
received news that his daughter had died. Jesus nevertheless encouraged him to
believe and proceeded to the house.
Reference: Mark 5:21–43; Luke 8:40–56
12.
Hannah's Perseverance
Hannah continued
bringing her anguish before God in prayer. She did not allow her long-standing
sorrow to prevent her from seeking God. Her prayer demonstrates persistence,
honesty, and dependence upon God.
Reference: 1 Samuel 1:1–20
13.
Hannah's Continued Prayer
Hannah's
relationship with God was not dependent simply upon receiving the answer she
desired. She continued to seek God despite her pain, and her prayer ultimately
resulted in Samuel's birth.
Reference: 1 Samuel 1:9–20; 1 Samuel 2:1–10
14.
The Golden Calf
When Moses remained
on Mount Sinai longer than the people expected, Israel became impatient and
demanded an alternative object of worship. The golden calf demonstrates how
uncertainty and impatience can lead people away from obedience.
Reference: Exodus 24:12–18; Exodus 32:1–8
15.
Israel and David
Israel responded to
delay by creating an idol and abandoning God's instructions. David, in
contrast, repeatedly refused to seize the kingdom through killing Saul. These
accounts show how people can respond very differently when God's timing does
not match their expectations.
Reference: Exodus 32:1–8; 1 Samuel 24:1–22; 1
Samuel 26:1–25
16.
Saul and the Sacrifice
Saul faced pressure
because Samuel had not arrived at the expected time. Instead of continuing to
wait according to the prophet's instruction, Saul offered the sacrifice
himself. Samuel subsequently confronted him regarding his disobedience.
Reference: 1 Samuel 13:5–14
17.
Waiting Versus Avoiding Responsibility
Biblical waiting
involves continued faithfulness. A person can pray, obey God's commands, work
diligently, prepare, and make responsible decisions while leaving the ultimate
timing and outcome to God.
Reference: Psalm 37:3–7; Proverbs 16:3;
Colossians 3:23–24; James 2:17–18
18.
Waiting as a Community
The Israelites'
journey involved an entire generation and therefore affected families,
leadership, worship, and national identity. Prolonged waiting can influence a
community's faith and obedience, not merely an individual's personal
experience.
Reference: Numbers 13:25–33; Numbers 14:1–35;
Deuteronomy 8:1–5
19.
Simeon and Anna
Simeon continued
waiting for God's promise concerning the Messiah, while Anna remained devoted
to worship and service. Both were able to recognize the significance of Jesus'
arrival because they remained faithful during the waiting period.
Reference: Luke 2:25–38
20.
Habakkuk and the Appointed Time
Habakkuk was told
that the vision had an appointed time and that it would come even though it
seemed slow. The passage encourages continued faith rather than abandoning
confidence simply because fulfillment does not occur immediately.
Reference: Habakkuk 2:2–4
21.
Suffering, Perseverance, Character, and Hope
Romans 5 presents a
progression in which suffering can produce perseverance, perseverance produces
character, and character produces hope. The passage therefore presents
difficult experiences as occasions through which spiritual qualities can
develop.
Reference: Romans 5:3–5
22.
The Foundation of Trust
A delay can expose
whether our confidence rests primarily on God Himself or on the immediate
fulfillment of our desires. Biblical faith continues to trust God even when the
expected outcome has not yet appeared.
Reference: Habakkuk 3:17–19; Romans 8:24–25;
Hebrews 11:1
23.
The Disciples Waiting in Jerusalem
Jesus instructed the
disciples to remain in Jerusalem and wait for the promised Holy Spirit. They
obeyed His instruction and devoted themselves to prayer while waiting.
Reference: Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4–5; Acts 1:12–14
24.
The Importance of Waiting for the Holy Spirit
The disciples were
not simply waiting for a convenient moment to begin preaching. Jesus
specifically instructed them to wait for the promised power of the Holy Spirit.
Their mission was therefore to begin according to God's provision and timing
rather than their own plans.
Reference: Acts 1:4–8; Acts 2:1–4
25.
Waiting and Persevering in Doing Good
Galatians encourages
believers not to become weary in doing good because there is an appointed time
for reaping. This connects faithful action with patient endurance: believers
are encouraged to continue doing what is right even when the results are not immediately
visible.
Reference: Galatians 6:9
Reflection
Biblical delays
often reveal something deeper than the simple passage of time. Abraham
learned to trust a promise, Joseph endured a long journey, David learned to
wait for God's appointed time, Hannah persisted in prayer, and the disciples
waited for the promised Holy Spirit.
Their stories remind
us that waiting can become a season of faith, preparation, perseverance,
obedience, and spiritual growth.
The absence of an
immediate answer does not necessarily mean the absence of God's work.
Call
to Action
What have you
learned about waiting from the people in this Bible Quiz?
Take a moment to
choose one biblical example of delay that speaks most strongly to you. Read the
full passage in your Bible and reflect on how the person responded while
waiting.
If you enjoyed this Level
2 Bible Quiz – “Delays,” share it with your family, friends, Bible study
group, Sunday school class, or church community. Keep studying Scripture and
discovering the lessons hidden within its stories of faith and waiting!
Bible Quiz – “Delays”
Level
3 – Advanced Subjective Questions
Some of the most
profound lessons in Scripture are found not in moments of immediate victory,
but in seasons when God's people had to wait.
A delay can raise
difficult questions: Why has God not acted yet? Why does prayer sometimes seem
unanswered? Why does a promise appear distant? Why would God allow
circumstances to become even more difficult before intervening?
The Bible does not
present one simple explanation for every delay. Instead, it gives us stories
that reveal different purposes and responses. Abraham waited for a promised
son. Joseph endured years of suffering before his position changed. David
waited for the kingdom. Israel waited for deliverance. Lazarus' family
experienced a delay that ultimately revealed Christ's power over death. The
disciples waited for the Holy Spirit before beginning their mission.
This Level 3
Bible Quiz – “Delays” moves beyond basic recall. The questions invite
deeper reflection on God's sovereignty, human impatience, faith, obedience,
unanswered prayer, spiritual formation, God's promises, and the mystery of
divine timing.
Instructions
for Participants
1. Read every question carefully and
consider the broader biblical context.
2. Answer in complete sentences wherever
possible.
3. Do not rely only on memory; think
about the spiritual principle illustrated by each passage.
4. Some questions require comparison
between two or more biblical accounts.
5. Distinguish between what Scripture
explicitly states and what may reasonably be understood from the account.
6. There may be several ways to express a
sound biblical answer.
7. Complete the entire quiz before
consulting the answers.
8. After finishing, read the listed
references directly from your Bible for deeper study.
9. Use the final devotional thought as an
opportunity for personal reflection rather than merely checking your score.
Level 3 – Advanced Subjective Questions
1.
Abraham received
God's promises years before their fulfillment. How does Romans 4 reinterpret
Abraham's long waiting period, and what does it reveal about the nature of
biblical faith?
2.
Abraham and Sarah
attempted to obtain the promised child through Hagar. What does this episode
reveal about the relationship between divine promise, human initiative, and
impatience?
3.
Joseph's early
dreams appeared to predict greatness, yet his subsequent life seemed to move in
the opposite direction. How does Genesis 50:20 help reinterpret the delays and
suffering that preceded his elevation?
4.
How are Joseph's and
David's experiences similar in demonstrating that receiving a promise or
calling does not necessarily mean immediate fulfillment?
5.
David repeatedly
found himself in situations where he could have accelerated his rise to power
by killing Saul. Why is this significant for understanding the relationship
between faith and waiting?
6.
How does Saul's
impatience in 1 Samuel 13 contrast with David's patience in his encounters with
Saul?
7.
Moses spent forty
years in Egypt, forty years in Midian, and later forty years leading Israel
through the wilderness. What does this broader chronology suggest about God's
work through extended seasons of preparation and waiting?
8.
Israel's deliverance
from Egypt occurred after a long period of suffering. How does Exodus 2:23–25
challenge the assumption that divine silence means divine absence?
9.
In John 11, Jesus
knew Lazarus was sick but deliberately delayed His departure. Why is it
important that the text connects the situation with the glory of God?
10.
How does the raising
of Lazarus challenge the idea that God's response must occur at the moment
human beings consider most appropriate?
11.
Compare the
experiences of Jairus and the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5. How does
the interruption in Jairus' urgent request create a deeper lesson about
waiting?
12.
Hannah's story
involves both delayed prayer and a transformation in her response before the
final outcome. What can be learned from the movement of her story from anguish
toward peace?
13.
What does Psalm 13
teach about the possibility of expressing feelings of abandonment while still
maintaining faith in God?
14.
Why is “waiting on
the Lord” in passages such as Psalm 27:14 more than simply waiting for
circumstances to change?
15.
How does Isaiah
40:31 connect waiting with renewed strength rather than weakness?
16.
Habakkuk questioned
God about injustice and received an answer involving an appointed time. What
does this teach about faith when God's timing does not correspond with human
urgency?
17.
How does
Ecclesiastes 3:1–11 contribute to a biblical understanding of seasons, timing,
and human limitations?
18.
The disciples were
instructed to wait in Jerusalem before beginning their mission. Why was waiting
itself an act of obedience?
19.
What does Acts 1:8
reveal about the relationship between divine empowerment and human action?
20.
Compare the
disciples' waiting before Pentecost with Israel's waiting for deliverance from
Egypt. What similarities can be observed without assuming that the two
situations were identical?
21.
How can Romans 5:3–5
change the way a believer understands a difficult season that appears to have
no immediate solution?
22.
James 1:2–4 connects
trials with perseverance and maturity. How does this perspective differ from
viewing every delay merely as an obstacle that must quickly be removed?
23.
Why can a delayed
answer to prayer sometimes become an opportunity for deeper dependence on God?
24.
How should
Christians balance persistent prayer with submission to God's will when an
answer does not come according to their desired timetable?
25.
The Bible contains
both instances of immediate divine intervention and instances of prolonged
waiting. What does this variety teach us about creating rigid expectations
concerning how God must act?
Answers and Bible References
1.
Abraham and the Nature of Faith
Romans 4 presents
Abraham as an example of faith because he trusted God's promise despite
circumstances that made its fulfillment appear impossible. His faith was not
based on visible evidence or immediate results. He became convinced that God
was able to fulfill what He had promised.
Reference: Genesis 15:1–6; Genesis 17:15–21;
Genesis 21:1–7; Romans 4:18–21
2.
Abraham, Hagar, and Human Initiative
The account
illustrates the tension between trusting God's promise and attempting to
accomplish the promised result through human planning. Abraham and Sarah acted
according to their own solution rather than waiting for the fulfillment God had
specifically promised through Sarah.
The account does not
teach that human action is always wrong; rather, it demonstrates the
complications that arose when Abraham and Sarah attempted to solve the problem
of delay through their own arrangement.
Reference: Genesis 16:1–16; Genesis 17:15–21;
Genesis 21:1–21
3.
Joseph's Delays in Light of Genesis 50:20
Joseph's later
perspective shows that the actions of his brothers, though intended for harm,
were incorporated into a larger purpose that ultimately preserved many lives.
His years of slavery and imprisonment therefore became part of a much larger
story than he could have understood when he first received his dreams.
Reference: Genesis 37:5–11; Genesis 39:19–23;
Genesis 41:37–41; Genesis 50:19–20
4.
Joseph and David
Both men received
indications of a future purpose before experiencing its fulfillment. Joseph's
dreams preceded slavery and imprisonment, while David's anointing preceded
years of conflict and waiting before he became king.
Their stories
demonstrate that a calling or promise does not necessarily eliminate a period
of preparation and testing.
Reference: Genesis 37:5–11; Genesis 41:38–41; 1
Samuel 16:1–13; 2 Samuel 5:1–5
5.
David and the Temptation to Accelerate God's Timing
David had
opportunities to kill Saul, which would have removed a major obstacle between
himself and the throne. Instead, he repeatedly refused to take Saul's life.
This demonstrates David's willingness to leave the timing and manner of his
kingship in God's hands.
Reference: 1 Samuel 24:1–22; 1 Samuel 26:1–25
6.
Saul's Impatience and David's Patience
Saul acted because
Samuel had not arrived when expected, while David refused to kill Saul even
when doing so could have benefited him. The contrast illustrates two different
responses to pressure: acting outside God's instruction versus waiting while
continuing to trust God.
Reference: 1 Samuel 13:5–14; 1 Samuel 24:4–7; 1
Samuel 26:8–11
7.
Moses and Extended Preparation
Moses' life
demonstrates that God's calling can involve long periods that may not initially
appear connected to the eventual mission. His years in Egypt and Midian
preceded his return to Egypt and leadership of Israel.
Reference: Exodus 2:11–25; Exodus 3:1–12; Acts
7:23–30
8.
Divine Silence Does Not Mean Divine Absence
Israel's groaning
continued for a long time, but Exodus says that God heard their cry, remembered
His covenant, saw their condition, and knew their situation. The passage
therefore presents God as aware and active even before the visible deliverance
occurred.
Reference: Exodus 2:23–25; Exodus 3:7–10
9.
Lazarus and God's Glory
John explicitly
connects Lazarus' illness and Jesus' actions with the glory of God and the
revelation of Jesus' identity. The delay therefore cannot be understood simply
as neglect or indifference. It formed part of the circumstances surrounding a
significant revelation of Christ's power.
Reference: John 11:1–6; John 11:11–15; John
11:38–44
10.
God's Timing and Human Expectations
The people around
Lazarus considered death to be the decisive end of the situation. Jesus
demonstrated that His purposes were not limited by the point at which human
beings believed the situation had become irreversible.
Reference: John 11:17–27; John 11:38–44
11.
Jairus and the Woman with the Issue of Blood
Jairus approached
Jesus with an urgent request concerning his dying daughter. During the journey,
Jesus stopped to address another person's suffering. Jairus then received news
that his daughter had died. Yet Jesus continued to his house and raised her.
The account
demonstrates how an apparent delay can be extremely difficult emotionally while
the final outcome remains beyond what the waiting person can see.
Reference: Mark 5:21–43
12.
Hannah: From Anguish Toward Peace
Hannah initially
approached God with deep grief. After praying, she went away and her
countenance was no longer the same. Her circumstances had not yet changed, but
her response had changed before Samuel was born.
Reference: 1 Samuel 1:9–20
13.
Psalm 13 and Honest Faith
Psalm 13
demonstrates that biblical faith does not require pretending that pain or
confusion does not exist. David openly asks how long God will seem to forget
him, yet the psalm ends with renewed confidence in God's steadfast love and
salvation.
Reference: Psalm 13:1–6
14.
Waiting on the Lord
Waiting on the Lord
involves confidence, courage, perseverance, and continued dependence upon God.
It is not simply remaining inactive until circumstances change.
Reference: Psalm 27:13–14; Psalm 37:7; Isaiah
40:31
15.
Waiting and Renewed Strength
Isaiah connects
waiting on the Lord with renewed strength. The imagery emphasizes that those
who trust God can receive strength to continue rather than being permanently
defeated by their circumstances.
Reference: Isaiah 40:28–31
16.
Habakkuk and God's Appointed Time
Habakkuk was told to
record the vision because it had an appointed time. Even though fulfillment
might seem slow, the instruction was to wait for it. The passage presents faith
as continuing to trust God while living within the tension between present circumstances
and future fulfillment.
Reference: Habakkuk 2:2–4
17.
Ecclesiastes and the Seasons of Life
Ecclesiastes
presents life as containing different seasons and appointed times. It also
acknowledges human limitations in fully understanding God's work. This
encourages humility about our ability to control or completely comprehend
timing.
Reference: Ecclesiastes 3:1–11
18.
Waiting as Obedience
Jesus specifically
instructed the disciples to remain in Jerusalem and wait for the promised Holy
Spirit. Their waiting was therefore not inactivity or indecision; it was
obedience to a direct command.
Reference: Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4–5
19.
Divine Empowerment and Human Action
Acts 1:8 shows that
the disciples would receive power through the Holy Spirit and then become
witnesses. Their action depended upon first receiving the divine empowerment
Jesus had promised.
Reference: Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1–4
20.
The Disciples and Israel
Both accounts
involve God's people waiting for divine intervention and both demonstrate that
waiting does not necessarily mean God has forgotten His people. However, the
circumstances and purposes of the two events are distinct and should not be
treated as identical.
Reference: Exodus 2:23–25; Exodus 12:29–42; Acts
1:4–8; Acts 2:1–4
21.
Romans 5 and Difficult Waiting
Romans 5 presents
suffering as capable of producing perseverance, character, and hope. From this
perspective, a difficult season may have spiritual significance beyond the
immediate outcome that a person desires.
Reference: Romans 5:3–5
22.
James and Spiritual Maturity
James does not
present trials merely as interruptions to normal life. He connects trials with
the development of perseverance and maturity. This means that the process of
enduring difficulty can itself have spiritual significance.
Reference: James 1:2–4
23.
Delay and Dependence
When immediate
solutions are unavailable, people may become more conscious of their dependence
upon God. Biblical examples of waiting repeatedly direct attention away from
self-sufficiency and toward trust, prayer, perseverance, and God's
faithfulness.
Reference: Psalm 62:5–8; Isaiah 40:28–31; 2
Corinthians 1:8–10
24.
Persistent Prayer and Submission
Scripture encourages
believers to pray persistently while also submitting to God's will. Christian
prayer is not merely an attempt to force a particular outcome; it involves
bringing requests before God while trusting His wisdom.
Reference: Matthew 7:7–11; Luke 18:1–8;
Philippians 4:6–7; 1 John 5:14–15
25.
Immediate Answers and Long Delays
The Bible gives
different examples of God's intervention. Some prayers receive immediate
responses, while other promises require years or generations. Scripture
therefore does not provide a single timetable that believers can use to predict
how God must respond.
Reference: Psalm 18:6–19; Daniel 10:1–14; John
11:1–44; Hebrews 11:8–16
Short Reflection & Devotional Thought
When
the Answer Seems Late
Waiting can make
faith feel especially difficult because we usually see only the present
moment, while God sees the entire story.
Abraham saw an empty
promise of a child. Joseph saw a prison cell. David saw Saul still sitting on
the throne. Martha and Mary saw their brother lying in a tomb. The disciples
saw an unfinished mission and were told to wait.
Yet none of these
moments represented the whole story.
Sometimes the
hardest part of faith is not believing that God can act, but continuing
to trust Him when He has not acted according to our timetable.
The Bible does not
promise that every delay will be explained to us. It does, however, repeatedly
call us to trust God's character, remain faithful, continue in prayer, and
persevere in obedience.
A delayed answer is
still a season in which faith can grow.
When you find
yourself asking, “How long?”, remember the words of Psalm 27:14: the
answer is not necessarily to understand everything immediately, but to wait,
take courage, and continue trusting the Lord.
Personal
Reflection
Ask yourself:
“While I am waiting
for God to change my circumstances, what might God be developing within me?”
Take that question
into prayer today.
Call
to Action
If this Level 3
Bible Quiz – “Delays” challenged you, take some time to study the
referenced passages in their full context. Share the quiz with your Bible
study group, family, friends, Sunday school class, or church community and
encourage others to reflect on God's timing.
Keep studying
Scripture, keep praying, and keep trusting God—even in the waiting.
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